Mistakes - A Kalos/XY AU

Atonement

"Charizard, what have you done...?"

"We need you to slowly.... SLOWLY remove him from your arm, okay?"

"Chari... zard..."

"GET AWAY FROM ME YOU MONSTER!!!"

Charizard's eyes snapped open as he quickly woke up, panting heavily.

'Damnit... another bad dream.'

He was once again on top of the Pokémon Center, away from everyone else. The dragon shivered slightly as a cool breeze brushed his scales.

Charizard knew it would be a chilly night, but he didn't care. He wanted to be alone, he NEEDED to be alone.

He then thought back to two nights ago, before he'd gone to the roof to sleep. He was approached by Pikachu. The mouse looked at him with sympathy.

"Charizard, why don't you sleep with the rest of us tonight? It's supposed to be cold out."

The dragon just silently looked at him.

"...I'll pass, but thanks for the offer."

He turned to leave, before Pikachu's sighing caused him to momentarily stop.

"Y'know," he began. "I get that you're upset, but isolating yourself isn't helping. You're worrying everyone. Please, just come sleep with the rest of us... I promise no one is mad at you."

Charizard slowly turned to look at the mouse over his shoulder. Pikachu had never seen more pain and guilt in one's eyes in his entire life.

"...I'm sorry..."

He then walked out the door, leaving Pikachu alone in the lobby.

It had been two days since Charizard talked with Pikachu. Ash had finally been discharged with a clean bill of health, electing to watch Greninja while Braixen took some much needed time to herself.

Last night, however, wasn't as calm.

Greninja had a close call, as his heart had given out in the middle of the night while he was still unconscious. He was in Intensive Care the rest of the night. They got his heart pumping again, but cut it extremely close. If they were even a few minutes too late, the frog very well could have died then and there.

Braixen was mortified that the second she chose to not be at Greninja's side, he nearly died. All it did was motivate her to not leave his room even further...

...and motivate Charizard to finally have a talk with Greninja.

So hours later, he found himself once again outside the door to his rival's room. He moved to turn the handle, before he could reach it he heard a soft clicking from the other side. The door opened, revealing Braixen, who softly smiled up at the dragon. "I had a feeling you'd come by."

Charizard softly laughed. "I became that predictable?"

"No," the fox said. "but it's good to see how much you care about him."

Braixen sat in her chair while Charizard sat on the floor beside her. They sat in silence, simply staring at Greninja as he softly breathed.

"How's he doing?"

Braixen softly sighed. "...better. His breathing is finally normal, and he's started healing. The doctors said it was a miracle that he's alive at all."